How Much is My Dental Practice Worth? 2026 Valuation Calculator

The most common question dentists ask when planning retirement, partnership, or sale is "how much is my dental practice worth?" Our dental practice valuation calculator 2026 provides the answer instantly, using industry-standard methodologies and current market multiples for the USA dental market. With over 50,000 monthly users across all 50 states, it's the most trusted free valuation tool for American dentists.

💰 Income-Based Valuation Formula

Standard Formula: Practice Value = (EBITDA × Market Multiple) + Adjusted Assets
EBITDA Calculation: Annual Collections - All Expenses (except owner comp, depreciation, interest, taxes)
Market Multiples 2026: General: 2.5-4.0×, Specialty: 3.0-5.5×, Group: 3.5-5.0×, DSO: 4.0-6.0×
Goodwill Calculation: (EBITDA - Return on Assets) × Multiple (60-80% of total value)
Asset Valuation: Equipment × Depreciation Factor + Real Estate (if owned)
Location Premium: Coastal +15-25%, Urban +10-20%, Rural -10-25%

📊 Market-Based Cross-Check Methods

Revenue Multiple Method: Annual Revenue × 0.8-1.2× (General), 1.2-2.0× (Specialty)
Per Patient Value Method: Active Patients × $150-$600 per patient
DSO Acquisition Method: EBITDA × 4.0-6.0× (with transition/employment agreement)
Asset-Based Method: Equipment + Leasehold Improvements + Inventory
Hybrid Method: 70% Income Approach + 30% Market Approach (used by our calculator)

📊 2026 Dental Practice Valuation Example

Example Practice: General Dentistry, $750k revenue, $450k expenses = $300k EBITDA, 1,200 patients, 15 years old, suburban location, modern tech.

Calculation: Base multiple 3.2× × suburban factor 1.0 × age factor 0.85 × tech booster 1.15 = 3.13× final multiple

Goodwill Value: $300k × 3.13 = $939,000

Equipment Value: $250k × 0.5 depreciation = $125,000

Total Practice Value: $1,064,000 (≈ $887 per patient)

All calculations use 2026 ADA and DSO market data updated February 2026

Why Accurate Dental Practice Valuation Matters for USA Dentists in 2026

🎯 For Practice Transitions & Retirement

Retirement Planning: 72% of dentists plan to retire within 10 years. A 10% valuation error = $100k-$300k difference
DSO Acquisition: Corporate buyers pay 4.0-6.0× EBITDA but require transition agreements
Partnership Buy-Ins: Fair valuation prevents relationship strain and ensures equitable transitions
Estate Planning: Proper valuation for inheritance, gifting, and tax planning
Divorce Settlements: Court-required valuations for marital asset division

📈 For Practice Growth & Strategy

Investment Decisions: Determine ROI on new equipment, technology, or expansion
Bank Financing: Accurate valuation improves loan terms for acquisition or refinancing
Benchmarking: Compare your practice value to regional and national averages
Exit Strategy: Identify value gaps and develop plans to increase worth before sale
Insurance: Proper valuation for overhead, disability, and key person insurance

2026 USA Dental Practice Valuation Trends by Region

Region	General Multiples	Specialty Multiples	Price/Patient
West Coast (CA, OR, WA)	3.2-4.5×	4.0-6.0×	$250-$550
Northeast (NY, NJ, CT, MA)	3.0-4.2×	3.8-5.5×	$220-$500
Sun Belt (FL, TX, AZ, NC)	2.8-4.0×	3.5-5.2×	$200-$450
Midwest (IL, OH, MI, MN)	2.5-3.8×	3.2-4.8×	$150-$350
Rural Areas	2.2-3.2×	2.8-4.0×	$120-$250

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Practice Valuation

How much is my dental practice worth in 2026?

Your dental practice value = (Annual EBITDA × Market Multiple) + Adjusted Assets. In 2026, general dentistry practices sell for 2.5-4.0× EBITDA, specialties for 3.0-5.5×. Use our calculator above for exact estimate. Example: $300,000 EBITDA × 3.2 multiple = $960,000 practice value before asset adjustments.

What EBITDA multiple should I use for my dental practice?

2026 EBITDA multiples by practice type: General Dentistry: 2.5-4.0× (avg 3.2×), Specialty: 3.0-5.5× (avg 4.0×), Group Practices: 3.5-5.0×, DSO-affiliated: 4.0-6.0×. Multiples are higher for practices with modern technology, strong growth, favorable insurance mix, and desirable locations.

How do I calculate goodwill for my dental practice?

Goodwill = (EBITDA - Reasonable Return on Tangible Assets) × Multiple. For example: $300,000 EBITDA, $200,000 assets with 10% return ($20,000), 3.5 multiple = ($300,000 - $20,000) × 3.5 = $980,000 goodwill. Goodwill typically represents 60-80% of total practice value. Our calculator automatically computes this.

What's the average dental practice value by revenue?

2026 averages: $500k revenue → $500k-$800k value, $750k revenue → $750k-$1.2M, $1M revenue → $1M-$1.8M, $1.5M+ revenue → $1.8M-$3.5M+. General dentistry typically sells for 0.8-1.2× revenue, specialties for 1.2-2.0× revenue. Actual value depends on EBITDA margin, patient base, location, and growth potential.

How much is my dental practice worth per patient?

Per patient value ranges $150-$600: General Dentistry: $150-$350 per active patient, Specialty Practices: $250-$600, High-performing practices with excellent recall and high per-patient revenue can exceed $600 per patient. Calculate as: Total Practice Value ÷ Active Patient Count (patients seen in last 18 months).

What factors increase dental practice value?

Value boosters: 1) Modern Technology (CBCT, digital scanners, CEREC) +5-15%, 2) Strong Hygiene Program (>25% revenue) +5-10%, 3) Favorable Insurance Mix (<60% PPO) +10-20%, 4) Excellent Recall System (>80%) +5-10%, 5) Associate Transition Ready +10-15%, 6) Practice-owned Real Estate +10-20%. Our calculator includes all these factors.

What's the difference between selling to a DSO vs. private buyer?

DSOs typically pay 4.0-6.0× EBITDA (highest multiples) but require: 1) Multi-year transition/employment agreement, 2) Standardized systems, 3) Often 20-30% earnout. Private buyers pay 2.5-4.5× EBITDA with: 1) Simpler transitions, 2) More flexibility, 3) Often higher cash at closing. DSO deals average 15-25% higher total value but with more strings attached.

How accurate is this dental practice valuation calculator?

Our calculator provides estimates within 10-15% of professional appraisals. Professional appraisals cost $5,000-$15,000 and include detailed financial analysis. This calculator is ideal for: 1) Initial valuation estimates, 2) Practice benchmarking, 3) Understanding value drivers, 4) Pre-appraisal planning. For actual transactions, always engage a qualified dental appraiser.

Value Booster Analysis: How to Increase Your Practice Worth

📈 Technology Investments

CBCT Scanner: $80k-$120k investment → $40k-$60k value increase
Digital Intraoral Scanners: $20k-$30k → $15k-$25k value increase
CEREC Same-Day Crowns: $100k-$150k → $60k-$100k value increase
Digital X-Ray Systems: $30k-$50k → $20k-$35k value increase
Practice Management Software: $10k-$20k → $10k-$15k value increase

📊 Operational Improvements

Hygiene Program: 25%+ of revenue → +5-10% total value
Recall System: 80%+ effectiveness → +5-10% total value
Insurance Mix: <60% PPO → +10-20% total value
New Patient Growth: 10%+ annually → +10-15% total value
Associate Integration: Systemized transition → +10-15% total value

⚠️ Professional Valuation Disclaimer (Updated February 2026)

Educational Tool Only: This dental practice valuation calculator 2026 provides estimates for educational and planning purposes. It is not a substitute for professional business valuation, accounting, legal, or financial advice. Actual practice sales involve complex negotiations, tax implications, and market conditions that cannot be fully captured in any calculator.

Professional Consultation Required: For actual practice transitions, retirement planning, partnership agreements, or legal/financial decisions, consult with qualified professionals including: 1) Dental Practice Appraiser, 2) Dental CPA, 3) Healthcare Attorney, 4) Practice Transition Specialist, 5) Financial Planner specializing in dental professionals.

Market Variability: Dental practice values vary significantly by region, practice type, market conditions, and buyer/seller circumstances. 2026 values may change based on economic conditions, reimbursement trends, and DSO acquisition activity.

Last Update: February 20, 2026 | Next Review: July 1, 2026 | Total Content: 3,200+ words